Assembly and system for connecting a closure to a syringe

ABSTRACT

An assembly for closing the discharge nozzle of a syringe which is pre-filled with a drug or medication. A syringe in combination with a connecting structure removably maintain and support the closure in an operative orientation, which facilitates the rotational attachment of the syringe and the closure when the closure is in mating engagement with the connecting structure. A subsequent removal of the syringe and connected closure from the container or other type of connecting structure is thereby facilitated. The need for an individual to directly handle or touch the closure during its attachment to the syringe is restricted or eliminated. The closure assembly preferably also includes a tamper evident structure which reduces the chances of tampering with the syringe in order to access its contents.

The present Non-Provisional patent application claims priority pursuantto 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) to a currently pending and prior filedProvisional patent application, namely, that having Ser. No. 61/566,444filed on Dec. 2, 2011, as well as to another currently pending and priorfiled Provisional application, namely, that having Ser. No. 61/479,198filed on Apr. 26, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an assembly for closing thedischarge port of a syringe, after the syringe has been filled with amedicine to be administered to a patient, with a closure thereofstructured to eliminate or at least significantly reduce the need for anindividual to directly handle or touch the closure during its attachmentto the syringe. The closure assembly of the present invention may alsoinclude a tamper evident structure to eliminate or significantly reducethe chances that someone will tamper with the syringe filled withmedicine. The present invention is also directed to a connectingstructure, which may or may not be directly associated with a container,and which includes at least one connector cooperatively structured withthe closure to removably maintain and support the closure in anoperative orientation. The operative orientation facilitates therotational attachment of the syringe to the closure when the closure isin mating engagement with the connecting structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is very common for medical doctors and other authorized medicalpersonnel to order that a patient be given a drug or medication byinjection. In fact, it is currently estimated that more than 16 billioninjections are administered on a worldwide basis in any given year.Clearly, a number of safety issues are associated with givinginjections. One top concern relates to the avoidance of contamination bybacteria, germs or other microbial organisms.

As a result, it is becoming relatively common in hospital settings for anumber of syringes to be pre-loaded or filled by a pharmacist, or otherauthorized personnel within a hospital or similar facility, at anappropriate location for subsequent dispensing of same to one or morepatients. The pharmacy or other location where syringes are filled canand often will be located in a remote part of the hospital, relative tothe patient care area where the injection is to be administered. In somecases, the loading of syringes occurs in another building or facilityentirely, often referred to as “third party pharmacies.” This may evenbe a growing trend among hospitals to limit certain costs. Regardless, asyringe filling station at a large medical facility may resemble afactory, from which drug loaded syringes are delivered to a large numberof nurse's stations in multiple hospital or medical buildings. Becausemany nurse's stations are typically located very remote and from asyringe filling station, a loaded syringe is quite often given toanother person for delivery to a nurse's station, for subsequent dosingof the patient by qualified personnel.

From the foregoing, it may be understood that during the course ofloading a syringe with a drug, and also afterwards, when a loadedsyringe is delivered to a nurse's station, or even subsequently to apatient, the syringe can easily be handled by more than just one or twopeople. This, in turn, increases the chance for the syringe to becomecontaminated, by exposure to bacteria, germs, etc., which could possiblythen be introduced into a patient's body tissues, and which couldpotentially lead to infection, presenting in turn, dangerous andpossibly fatal effects on the patient. Consequently, and from the above,the concern for and the high level of importance associated withmaintaining the sterility of a syringe will be better understood.

Also, and especially in the case of a very expensive drug or anaddictive drug, such as but not limited to morphine, there is somedanger that a pre-loaded syringe will be tampered with by a personseeking to improperly gain access to the drug, whether to use ithimself, or to try to sell it illegally. A resulting danger also existsin that if an unauthorized person were actually to access to theprescribed medicine, he or she might inappropriately substitute salinesolution or some other unauthorized substance in the syringe in aneffort to avoid detection. By way of example only, if saline solutionwere substituted for a dose of morphine, this could have extremelyserious consequences. Thus, the growing use of syringes which arepre-loaded with a drug presents another problem in that it is importantto know if the sealed and/or pre-loaded syringe has, or has not, beentampered with and exposed to contamination or might otherwise have beencompromised.

The benefits of using a pre-filled syringe, and of being able to readilydetermine whether or not it has been tampered with, are abundantlyclear. Drugs and medications are specific to each particular patient'sdisorder or disease being treated. In addition, interactions betweendrugs and medications given to a patient incorrectly can have seriousand deadly consequences. It is, therefore, important to know that aparticular medication being injected is, in fact, the drug that wasprescribed by the treating physician, and that it has not been replacedby another compound. Moreover, some drugs can have harmful effects inlarge doses. Accordingly, it is also important to ensure that the properdosage is followed, as prescribed. Since pre-filled syringes areprepared in advance of being delivered and used, they may be loadedcarefully by a pharmacist or other similarly qualified individual toensure the appropriate medication and dose is prepared. This reduceserrors on injection by nurses or physicians who may be in a stressful ortime-sensitive situation and may not have the luxury of verifying thecorrect medication or measuring out a dose, particularly small doses,from a source vial.

Pre-filled syringes are also particularly useful in view of the recentshortage of medications and other injectables, such as narcotics orepinephrine for example. Some drugs and medications, even those whichare essential for treating life-threatening diseases, are currently indrastically short supply, due to several factors. For example, duringthe manufacturing process of some medications, it can occur and hashappened for whole batches to become contaminated, such as by bacteriaor other microorganisms that could cause infection upon injection,thereby rendering quantities of medications unusable, which in turn,reduces the overall stock of available medications. In addition,manufacturing capacity issues, such the availability and increased costof raw materials and transportation, as well as lower profit margins,are contributing factors that also result in reduced quantities ofmedications being produced, and therefore, available to patients.Accordingly, the supply of drugs that are available and safe for use isa starting to be viewed as a precious commodity, with little to no roomfor waste. The use of pre-filled syringes helps significantly to ensurethat only the exact amount of medicine or drugs prescribed are beingused, thereby helping to eliminate waste. Also, by having a pharmacistor other qualified person at a filling station preparing the pre-filledsyringes, even at a location distant from the patient treatment sitehelps to ensure that the exact amount of medication needed is delivered.This also circumvents the theft of drugs by “accidental” taking ofexcess medication, such as to siphon some off for personal use oranother non-prescribed purpose, which has unfortunately been known tooccur. Accordingly, the use of pre-filled syringes helps maintain thestock of these important drugs so that they may be available to thepatients truly in need of them. Further, any unused pre-filled syringesmay be recycled so that unused medication does not go to waste. This isonly possible, however, if there is some way to determine that apre-filled syringe has not been tampered with or compromised, therebyverifying the integrity of the contents.

Despite attempts in the past to prevent unauthorized access tosyringe(s) pre-loaded with a drug or medication, it is understood thatsome problems continue to exist in this field of art. Such problemsinclude the ability to manufacture syringes, and/or accessoriestherefor, in an inexpensive and yet effective manner. Other problemsexist relative to the number of people that might handle pre-filledsyringes, which in turn, poses a challenge to maintaining the sterilityof the syringes and/or accessories, whether during storage at themanufacturing facility, during the transport thereof from such afacility to a hospital or other medical facility, and then to a nursingstation and ultimately, to a patient care area.

Accordingly, there is a need in the relevant field of art for animproved syringe closure that is capable of being used with standard orconventional pre-loaded syringes. If any such improved syringe closurewere developed, it would be structured in a manner which overcomesproblems and or disadvantages of the type set forth above or otherwiseknown to still exist in this field of art. In addition, the use andapplication of any such improved syringe closure, were one developed,would preferably be facilitated by the provision of a closure support,which may be in the form of a container or tray. Ideally, if any suchcombination of a closure and a support therefor were developed, it wouldhave certain structural and operative features which would facilitateappropriate connection of the closure to a conventional pre-loadedsyringe in an efficient manner which would eliminate or at leastsignificantly reduce the need for an individual to directly handle ortouch the closure during its attachment to the syringe. In addition, anysuch improved closure, if developed, would preferably also be structuredto provide a clear and unmistakable indication of tampering or ofprevious attempted access to the contents of the preloaded syringe.Finally, if any such improved closure and support for the closure weredeveloped, it would also preferably be structurally and operativelyreliable, while still remaining relatively easy and cost effective tomake and use, in order to facilitate widespread use and acceptancethroughout the medical profession.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to present a solution to these andother needs which remain in the relevant field of art, and as such, isdirected to a closure assembly structured for being protectivelyconnected to a syringe of the type including a nozzle and a dischargeport. As will be described in greater detail subsequently herein, theinventive assembly includes a closure and a connecting structure for theclosure. The closure assembly may further include a tamper evidentassembly to provide a clear indication of attempted or accomplishedaccess to a drug or medication contained within a pre-loaded syringe.

In at least one preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises aclosure, which may include an end cap member and a syringe cap, with thelatter being structured for rotational attachment to a syringe. When theinventive closure assembly is rotationally attached to a syringe, thesyringe cap is disposed to close, restrict and/or prevent fluid flowfrom the discharge port of the syringe nozzle. Moreover, the closure maybe structured to include a tamper evident assembly within the end capmember to provide a clear indication of attempted or accomplished accessto the contents of the preloaded syringe.

In addition, the end cap member includes an open end and a substantiallyoppositely disposed closed end, wherein the open end is dimensioned toreceive the discharge port and/or nozzle of the syringe there throughinto the interior thereof to accomplish the aforementioned rotationalattachment. The closed end of the end cap member is fixedly secured,such as by sonic welding, to the end cap member so as to move therewithand at least partially segregate an interior portion of the end capmember from an exterior of the closed end. The syringe cap is disposedwithin the interior of the end cap member and is structured for therotational attachment to the syringe in a manner which serves to closeor cover the nozzle in substantially flow restricting position relativeto the discharge port of the syringe. Therefore, as should be apparent,the rotational attachment between the syringe cap of the end cap memberand the syringe is accomplished by relative rotation between the syringeand the closure and more specifically, the syringe and the syringe cap.

In certain instances, the syringe cap may be at least partially movablewithin the interior of the end cap member. Accordingly, a drive assemblyis disposed on the interior of the end cap member and is structured tofacilitate the rotational attachment of the syringe cap to the syringe.As described in greater detail hereinafter, the drive assembly is formedon interior portions of both the syringe cap and a correspondinglydisposed interior portion of the closed end of the end cap member.Structuring of the drive assembly is such that the syringe cap will beprevented from rotating within the interior of the end cap upon aconfronting interaction between different portions of the drive assemblywhich, as set forth above, are located on interior portions of thesyringe cap and the closed end portion of the end cap member. As aresult of the interaction of the different portions of the driveassembly, the syringe can be at least partially inserted into the openend of the end cap member, such that rotation of the syringe relative tothe syringe cap is facilitated by the syringe cap being disposed in afixed orientation on the interior of the end cap member. A continued andsufficient rotation of the syringe relative to the syringe cap willaccomplish the aforementioned rotational attachment there between and aneffective mounting or securing of the closure to the syringe in closing,covering and/or flow restricting relation to the nozzle and/or dischargeport of the syringe.

Another operative and structural feature of one or more preferredembodiments in the present invention is the provision of a connectingstructure including at least one connector. The connecting structure,including the at least one connector, may be a part of, formed on and/orattached to a support base, wherein the support base is integrated intoa container. As such, the support base may comprise a floor portion orother inner portion of the container. Moreover, the connecting structureand the container are ideally structured to contain one or more of theclosures on the interior thereof, wherein the one or more closures aremaintained in an operative orientation. In addition, one connector is,or a plurality of such connectors, are preferably equal or sufficient innumber to retain the number of closures intended to be disposed withinthe container. Also, in at least one preferred embodiment, the containerassociated with the at least one connector is of the type structured toaccomplish the “commercial packaging” of the one or more closure,wherein such commercial packaging is intended for storage, transport,and delivery of the closure(s) from a manufacturer or distributer to apoint or location of use.

Each of the one or more connectors is structured to be disposed inremovable mating engagement with the closed end of a correspondingclosure or end cap member. Accordingly, when the closure is in theremovable mating engagement it is disposed in an operative orientation,which facilitates receipt of the syringe within the correspondingclosure and end cap. In at least one embodiment of the presentinvention, the operative orientation may be more specifically describedas comprising the closed end disposed in the removable mating engagementwith the one connector, while said open end is exposed to the syringe ina manner which facilitates the rotational attachment between the syringeand the closure. Accordingly, the operative orientation of the one ormore closures and end cap members, when disposed on the connectingstructure, facilitates the aligned insertion of a portion of the nozzleof the syringe into the end cap member and the aforementioned rotationof the syringe relative to the syringe cap. As a result, the rotationalattachment of the syringe and the syringe cap will be efficientlyaccomplished. Once attached, the syringe and the connected closure canboth be removed from the support base and container, without anyunnecessary handling of the closure.

More specifically, each of the one or more connectors is cooperativelystructured with the closed end of each of the end cap member to define a“rotationally restrictive” connection between the end cap member orclosure and the connecting structure. Such a rotationally restrictiveconnection there between will be sufficient to prevent or at leastsubstantially restrict rotation of the end cap member in either of twoopposite directions, relative to the connecting structure andcorresponding container, while the nozzle of the syringe is beinginserted into the interior of the end cap member and rotated relative tothe closure, syringe cap and end cap member. In more specific terms, therotationally restrictive connection comprises the closure being disposedin substantially rotationally fixed position relative to the oneconnector and the support base, concurrently to a rotation of thesyringe relative to the closure, thereby facilitating the rotationalattachment of the syringe to closure. For purposes of clarity, the term“substantially rotationally fixed” is intended to describe, but not belimited to, the closure being restricted from rotating relative to theone connector, to the extent that at least a minimal amount ofrotational sliding or “slippage” type movement may occur there between.This would be due to the configurations and/or dimensions of confrontingportions and/or surfaces of the one connector and the closed end of theone closure, when disposed in the removable mating engagement with oneanother.

The aforementioned rotational attachment of the syringe and the syringecap is further facilitated by a threaded engagement of the syringe andthe syringe cap, along correspondingly and cooperatively structuredportions thereof. Once the rotational attachment has been established,the corresponding, connected closure can be removed from the connectingstructure and one connector and/or from the interior of the container,by a lifting or other outwardly directed force being applied to syringe.

The present invention includes additional preferred embodiments directedto an at least partial “automatic” securing of a closure to a syringeprimarily of the type intended for use with a syringe, pre-loaded withmedicine. As used herein, the term “automatic” refers to the ability toattach the closure to the syringe in a manner which does not normallyrequire the handling or touching of the closure(s). Also, some of theseadditional embodiments are directed to the substantially “automatic”securing of a closure to a syringe, wherein the closure itself maycomprise a structure equivalent to that which has already been describedherein or which will be described later herein relative to otherpreferred embodiments of the present invention. More specifically, eachof a plurality of closures will preferably include a closure having afixed closed end and which is structured for rotational attachment tothe syringe. Further at least some of the embodiments of the presentinvention may be directed to closures which include an end cap that hasa fixed closed end and a syringe cap disposed on an interior thereof.The syringe cap is structured for rotational attachment to acorresponding portion of the syringe in a manner which serves to closeor cover the discharge port of the syringe, as more fully describedherein.

Structural and operative features which render at least some of thepreferred embodiments substantially “automatic” include a connectingstructure having at least one connector rotationally mounted on aplatform or a remainder of a connecting structure. In addition, the atleast one connector is disposable into removable mating engagement withthe closed end of the closure, which is to be attached to the syringe.Moreover, the one connector and the closed end of the closure arecooperatively structured to define the aforementioned “rotationallyrestrictive” connection there-between, as well as an operativeorientation of the closure, when the one connector is in the removablemating engagement therewith.

The rotationally restrictive connection between the one connector andthe closed end of the closure is at least partially defined by theaforementioned, substantially rotationally fixed positioning of theclosure and closed end on the one connector, while in the operativeorientation. A concurrent rotation of the closure with the one connectoris thereby accomplished, as the one connector rotates relative to theremainder of the connecting structure. It is also emphasized that theoperative orientation of the closure, when connected to the oneconnector serves to position the closure in a substantially uprightposition or other position which facilitates the receiving of thedischarge port of the syringe therein. Further, the operative positionof the closure and its ability to concurrently rotate with the oneconnector facilitates the aforementioned rotational attachment of thesyringe to the closure such as with, but not limited to, the syringe capportion of the closure.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also directed to anassembly for the “automatic” securing of at least one closure to adischarge port of a syringe and also includes a connecting structure. Inaddition, the connecting structure includes at least one connectorrotationally mounted thereon and disposable in removable matingengagement with a predetermined portion of the closure to be secured tothe syringe. As also set forth above, the removable mating engagementbetween the connector is accomplished by the one connector beingcorrespondingly configured and cooperatively structured with the closedend comprising a predetermined portion of the closure. As such, theaforementioned rotationally restrictive connection between the oneconnector and the closed end of the closure is defined. Suchrotationally restrictive connection facilitates a substantially fixeddisposition of the closure on the connector in an operative orientationand also, allows a concurrent rotation of the closure with the oneconnector, preferably relative to the syringe, to which the closure isrotationally attached.

Distinguishing structural and operative features of this additionalembodiment of the automatic securing assembly includes a deliveryassembly comprising a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly isdisposed adjacent to the connecting structure and in communicatingrelation therewith. More specifically, the carriage assembly isstructured to support at least one closure and be movable with theclosure into and out of a “delivering” position relative to the oneconnector. Moreover, a positioning assembly comprising at least onepositioning member is disposable in “positioning engagement” with theone closure and structured for the positioning of the closure into a“delivering orientation” relative to the one connector. As such, thepositioning member may take the form of a plunger or other appropriatestructure accessible from an exterior of the carriage. When manipulated,either manually or mechanically, the plunger will move the carriage intothe aforementioned delivering position and concurrently engage and movethe at least one closure into the delivering orientation. In addition,the carriage is structured to include a release portion disposable indirect communicating relation and/or aligned orientation with theconnector when the connector is in the receiving position, as describedabove.

It is further noted that in additional embodiments of the automaticassembly, the carriage may be directly associated with a closure supplythat is preferably, but not exclusively, defined by a canister. Whenutilized, the canister is dimensioned and configured to store aplurality of the closures on the interior thereof, in a generallyaligned relation to one another. An operative connection of the canisteror closure supply relative to the carriage will facilitate agravitational feed of each of the closures contained therein,successively onto the carriage. In cooperation therewith, thepositioning member will engage each of the closures successively as theyexit the canister. The continued manipulation of the positioning memberor plunger will serve to successively “index” or dispose an outer or endmost one of a plurality of closures supported on the carriage, into thedelivering orientation. Accordingly, the positioning member is furtherstructured to reciprocally and/or successively dispose the carriagebetween the aforementioned delivering position and a “supplied”position. When in the supplied position, appropriate portions of thecarriage are disposed in direct communication with the closures as theysuccessively exit the canister or closure supply. Further manipulationof the connector member will serve to facilitate the exiting of the nextclosure from the open end of the canister onto the carriage, which isfacilitated by the above noted gravitational feed.

It is further emphasized that in each of the preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, the at least one connector of the connectingstructure is cooperatively configured with a predetermined portion ofthe closure, and most preferably, a closed end of the closure, so as todefine the aforementioned rotationally restrictive connection. Moreover,in at least one embodiment the cooperative and correspondingconfiguration of the connector with the closed end of the closure isdefined by the connector and the closed end including a plurality ofprojections extending outwardly from corresponding surfaces of theconnector and closed end and disposed in equally spaced relation to oneanother. Further, the plurality of projections on both the connector andthe closed end may be, but are not limited to, being collectivelydisposed in a circular or annular array. Such correspondingconfigurations of the one connector and the closed end, therebyfacilitates being automatically disposed in the removable matingengagement with one another, without requiring any additional adjustmentor manipulation of the closure to accomplish the mating engagement androtationally restrictive connection.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed toa substantially “automatic” system or assembly for securing each of aplurality of closures to different ones of a plurality of syringes.Structural and operative features of this additional embodiment includea connecting structure comprising at least one connector rotationallymounted thereon and disposable in removable, mating engagement with theclosed end of each of the plurality of closures. Further, the at leastone rotationally mounted connector is cooperatively structured with apredetermined portion, such as the closed end of each of the closures,to define the aforementioned rotationally restrictive connection therebetween and the concurrent maintenance of each of the plurality ofclosures in the aforementioned operative orientation.

Additionally, a delivery assembly includes a closure supply comprising acanister or like container in which the plurality of closures to beattached are stored. The delivery assembly also includes a positioningassembly operatively disposed between the canister of the supplyassembly and the connecting structure. Operative features of thepositioning assembly serve to dispose individual ones of the pluralityof closures from the canister of the closure supply into a deliveringorientation which may be equivalent to the operative orientation on theconnector rotationally mounted on the connecting structure.

More specifically, the canister and the positioning assembly arecooperatively disposed and structured to facilitate a gravitationalpassage or feeding of the plurality of closures from within the canisterinto an operative relation to the positioning assembly. The positioningassembly comprises at least one positioning member disposed andstructured to perform a “positioning engagement” with each of theplurality of closures individually, upon their exiting from thecanister. Successive positioning engagement with each of the closuresaccomplishes what generally may be referred to as an “indexing” ofsuccessive ones of the closures into the operative orientation androtationally restrictive mating engagement with the at least oneconnector of the connecting structure.

The present invention is also directed to a closure supply that includesa container and a plurality of closures randomly and removably disposedtherein. Such container has no connecting structure, so the closures arefree to move and/or rotate within the container, and are in noparticular fixed position. Moreover, the container of the closure supplyincludes at least one section made of a gas-permeable material tofacilitate the sterilization of closures retained therein.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detaileddescription are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the closure and a support base for theclosure, representing the present invention in at least one preferredembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a prior art representation of a standard or conventionalsyringe.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the closure of the embodimentof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the closure, as viewed from the open end of theclosure, illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an interior perspective view of an end cap member of theclosure represented in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view in detail of the closed end of the end capmember in the embodiment of the closure illustrated FIGS. 1 and 3.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the closed end of the end capmember shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an exterior plan view of the closed end of the end cap membershown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an interior, perspective view of the support base for one ormore closures, also illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein thesupport base is in the form of a container.

FIG. 12 is an interior, top plan view of the support base shown in theembodiment of FIGS. 1 and 11.

FIG. 13 is a transverse sectional view of the support base taken alongline 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an exterior view of one of a possible plurality of connectorssecured to and protruding outwardly from an interior of the floor of thesupport base and container of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 11through 13.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the present invention in another preferredembodiment and directed to a substantially automatic attachment of aclosure assembly to a syringe.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the invention shown in the embodimentof FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an interior perspective view of one connector associated withthe connecting structure of the invention illustrated in the embodimentof FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the present invention in yet another preferredembodiment and also relating to the substantially automatic attachmentof one or a plurality of closure assemblies, each individually to asyringe, and which is operatively similar but structurallydistinguishable from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the invention shown in the embodimentof FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view in exploded form of a canister associatedwith the invention shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view in exploded form including correspondingstructural features of a connector structure and a correspondingclosure.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a supply assembly in the form of acartridge.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the present invention in an additionalpreferred embodiment and illustrating one stage of operation of same.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the invention in the embodiment shownin FIG. 23 and illustrating a next succeeding step in the operation ofsame.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the embodiments of FIGS. 23 and 24 in anext succeeding step of operation.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the embodiments of FIGS. 23 through 25in a next succeeding step of operation.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the embodiments of FIGS. 23 through 26of the next succeeding step of operation.

FIG. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view showing interior operativeportions of a connecting structure associated with the inventionillustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 23 through 27.

FIG. 29 is a schematic representation of FIGS. 23-27 in one stage ofoperation.

FIG. 30 is a schematic representation of FIGS. 23-27 in a differentstage of operation.

FIG. 31 is a schematic representation of FIGS. 23-27 in yet anotherstage of operation.

FIG. 32 is a schematic representation of FIGS. 23-27 in yet anotherstage of operation.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a closure supply ofthe present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

As indicated in the accompanying drawings, the present invention isdirected to an assembly for closing a conventional syringe 11, such asthat shown in FIG. 2 and labeled as “Prior Art,” which in most cases,will be pre-loaded with a drug or medication. The inventive assemblyincludes a closure, generally indicated as 20, structured for use incombination with a support base 50.

Before describing the structural and operative features of the presentinvention, it will be helpful to initially refer to a conventional orstandard type of syringe 11, such as that shown in FIG. 2, in order tooffer some understanding of the environment in which the presentinvention will operate. As such, and as shown in FIG. 2, the syringe 11typically includes a barrel 1 and a nozzle structure 2. The barrel 1comprises an elongate interior chamber disposed in fluid communicationwith an axial passageway or channel 3 on the interior of the nozzleportion 2′. Also, the nozzle portion 2′ may comprise a luer typefitting. The channel 3 is to be considered a portion of the nozzlestructure 2 and terminates distally at an opening or discharge port 4. Apiston 5 is structured to slide within the barrel 1 and includes a head6 provided with a circumferential gasket 7. When assembled, the end face9 of the head 6 of the piston 5 confronts the interior end of thechannel 3 and closes the discharge port 4. The piston also includes apush rod or plunger 8 connected to the head 6, which is dimensioned topass into the barrel 1. In use, the standard type syringe 11, afterbeing loaded with a drug, medicine or other contents, may be closed orsealed by covering the discharge port 4 with the closure assembly 20 ofthe present invention. Accordingly, the nozzle structure 2 preferablyincludes an inner connecting surface 3″ or other appropriate connectingstructure, such as a ribbed or threaded surface. Therefore, and as hasbeen represented, the interior connecting surface or portion 3″ and thenozzle portion 2′ can be and should be considered a part of the nozzle 2for purposes of this description.

Before any of the embodiments of the present invention are described, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and/or the components set forth in thefollowing description or to the illustrations shown in the accompanyingdrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed and/or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is the forthe purpose of description and should not be regarding as limiting. Theuse of the words “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variationsthereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter andequivalents thereto, as well as additional items.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3-6, the structural and operative featuresof the inventive assembly will be described in at least one embodiment,as illustrated therein. In this embodiment, the closure assembly for asyringe comprises a closure 20 that includes an end cap member 22 havinga substantially hollow interior. The end cap member 22 also includes anopen end 24 and an oppositely disposed closed end 28. As alsorepresented in FIGS. 7-10, the closed end 28 is integrally connected toand ideally fixedly connected to the end cap member 22 and movestherewith. The closed end 28 is disposed to segregate at least someinterior portions of the end cap member 22 from an exterior thereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, the closure 20 also includes the provision of asyringe cap 30 that is structured, dimensioned and configured to bedisposed within the interior of the end cap member 22 in interactiverelation with the closed end 28. Moreover, the syringe cap 30 isdesigned to be disposed in closing and/or covering relation to theportion of the nozzle 2′ so as to restrict fluid flow from the dischargeport 4. The intended closing, covering, and/or flow restricting relationof the syringe cap 30 relative to the nozzle portion 2′ is accomplishedby the closure 20 and more specifically, the syringe cap 30 beingrotationally attached to surface 3″ of the nozzle 2 of the syringe 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the closure 20 may include, in at leastone embodiment, the provision of a tamper evident assembly, comprisingan indicator member 32. The indicator member 32 preferably includes anannular or ring-shaped configuration. In addition, the indicator member32 is at least initially connected, but removably connected, to theinterior surface portions 22′ of the end cap member 22 as best shown inFIG. 6, by at least one, but more practically, a plurality of frangiblemembers 34. The opposite ends of the indicator member 32 are open, as at32′ and 32″. Further, the inner, transverse dimension or diameter of theindicator member 32 is sufficient to receive at least a leading portion31 of the syringe cap 30 there-through, when the closure 20 is fullyassembled, with the leading portion 31 being perhaps best shown in FIG.3.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the leading portion 31 of the syringe cap 30will have in the preferred embodiments outwardly extending tabs, earsand/or partial thread members 33. These tabs, ears or thread members 33are disposed, configured and structured to interact with the threaded orribbed interior surface 3″ of the syringe's nozzle structure 2.Accordingly, when the various components of the end cap member 22 areassembled, the syringe cap 30 and in particular, the partial threadmembers 33 are disposable to interact with the threaded surface 3″ toaccomplish the intended rotational attachment between the closure 20 andthe syringe 11. Such rotational attachment is accomplished by a relativerotation of the syringe 11 and the closure 20 and the syringe cap 30,once the syringe cap 30 is assembled on the interior of the end capmember 22. Such rotational attachment is further defined by a matinginteraction of the partial thread members 33 on leading portion 31 andthe threaded or ribbed surface 3″, once a coaxial alignment andinsertion is established between the nozzle portion 2′ of the syringe 11and the end cap member 22 and the syringe cap 30. Such an axialalignment and insertion is at least partially, schematically representedas 100 in FIG. 1 and may be partially defined by the nozzle portion 2′protruding through the open end 24 of the end cap member 22, the openend 32″ of the indicator member 32 and into the open end of the leadingportion 31 of the syringe cap 30. When properly inserted, the threadedmembers or tabs 33 will be aligned with the threaded surface 3″ of thesyringe 11. With specific reference to the one or more embodiments ofFIGS. 1-14, when the syringe 11 is aligned, as at 100, with one of theclosures 20, it may be rotated relative to the closure 20 and syringecap 30, as schematically represented as 102 in FIG. 1, to accomplish theintended rotational attachment of the syringe 11 and the closure 20, andmore specifically, the syringe nozzle portion 3″ to syringe cap 30.

Referring again now to FIG. 3, in order to further facilitate theaforementioned rotational attachment between the closure 20 and thesyringe 11 and/or nozzle portion 2′, the closure 20 includes, in atleast the represented embodiment, a drive assembly 40 comprisingcooperatively structured drive portions 42 and 44. For instance, and inthe illustrated embodiment, the drive assembly 40 will effectively offerrotation in only one direction, because each of the drive portions 42and 44 include a “ramp and cliff” structure. This “ramp and cliff”structure of each of the drive portions 42 and 44 provides for a fixedpositioning of the syringe cap 30 on the interior of the end cap member22, when the drive portions 42 and 44 are disposed in abutting orconfronting relation with one another, and when the end cap member 22 isrotated in one, predetermined direction. As a result, the attemptedrotation of the end cap member 22 in a direction opposite to the one,predetermined direction will result in relative rotation of the end capmember 22 and the syringe cap 30.

Accordingly, the one way drive assembly 40, defined by the aforesaidpreferred “ramp and cliff” structure of the drive portions 42 and 44will mandate that the syringe cap 30 and the end cap member 22 rotate ina common direction, defined by the above-described, one predetermineddirection. Therefore, rotational attachment between the outwardlyextending tabs, ears and/or threaded members 33 and the interiorthreaded surface 3″ of the syringe and the nozzle structure 2,respectively, is accomplished by a rotation of the end cap member 22 inthe aforementioned predetermined one direction relative to the syringe11, thereby defining the aforementioned rotational attachment betweenthe syringe cap 30 and nozzle structure 2 of the syringe 11.

It may be appreciated from the above description and the appendeddrawings that the tamper evident assembly, which comprises indicatormember 32, allows for the detachment of indicator member 32 from theinterior of the end cap member 22′ shown in FIG. 6, by a pulling forcebeing exerted on the closure 20 and more probably, on the outer wall ofthe end cap member 22. This, in turn, causes the frangible members 34 torupture and be displaced from their interconnecting relation between theindicator member 32 and the interior surface 22′ of the end cap member22. As such, the removal of the end cap member 22, by virtue of apulling force being exerted thereon, provides a clear indication thataccess has been attempted to the drug contained within the syringe 11,due to the fact that the syringe cap 30 will still remain in rotationalattachment with the nozzle structure 2 and the indicator member 32 willremain in surrounding relation to the syringe cap 30 and/or portions ofthe syringe, and/or nozzle 2′, after a forced removal of the end capmember 22.

In addition, the present invention as represented in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 3-14 comprises the closure 20, operatively associated with asupport base 50 for one or more closures 20. With additional referenceto FIGS. 11 through 14, the support base 50 may be a container 54 oralternatively integrated in to and considered a part of a container 54having inner portions including, but not limited to, a base or floor 52of the container 54. As such, the support base 50 can be accuratelydescribed as a floor portion, base portion or other inner portion 52 ofthe container 54, as is clearly depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12. As alsodisclosed, the container 54 may be structured to contain only oneclosure 20, but in preferred embodiments at least one closure 20, or aplurality of the closures 20, on the interior thereof as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 11-13. Further, the container 54 may include a coverstructure 55, as shown in FIG. 1, that is preferably, but notnecessarily, formed of Tyvek® material produced by the E.I. DuPontCompany, of Wilmington, Del. (or one or more of its subsidiaries).

Moreover, the container 54 may be structured to retain one or more ofthe closures 20 in an operative orientation. When so oriented, theclosures 20 may be stored, shipped and made readily available in the“operative orientation,” which facilitates the receipt of and attachmentto a syringe 11, in the manner described hereinafter, once the cover 55has been removed. In at least one embodiment of the present invention,once the cover structure 55 has been removed from the container 54, the“operative orientation” of a closure 20 may be more specificallydescribed as comprising the closed end 28 of the closure 20 beingdisposed in removable mating engagement with a connector 56, while saidopen end 24 of the closure 20 is exposed to the syringe 11, in a mannerwhich facilitates the rotational attachment between the syringe 11 andthe closure 20. Accordingly, the operative orientation of the one ormore closures 20, such as end cap members 22, when disposed on the oneor more connectors 56 of the support base 50, facilitates the alignedinsertion, as at 100 in FIG. 1, of a portion of the syringe 11 into theclosure 20, and the aforementioned rotation of the syringe 11 relativeto the closure or end cap 22. It is also emphasized that at least onepreferred embodiment comprises the container 54 associated with thesupport base 50, and further, that at least one connector 56 is of thetype structured to accomplish the “commercial packaging” of the one ormore closure(s) 20, wherein such commercial packaging is intended forstorage, transport, and delivery of the closure(s) 20 from amanufacturer or distributer to a point or location of use.

With further regard to the aforesaid cover structure 55 for thecontainer 54, as shown in FIG. 1, it is noted that one advantage offorming the cover structure 55 and/or other portions of the container 54from the aforementioned Tyvek® material is that it permits some passageof gas but resists the passage of liquid or moisture therethrough. Assuch, a sterilant gas can pass through the cover 55 of the container 54and facilitate the desired sterilization of one or more closures 20. Thesterilized condition of the one or more of the closures 20 can also besubstantially or at least partially maintained both prior to and duringtheir rotational attachment to a syringe 11, by eliminating or reducingthe need to physically handle the closures 20 in order to accomplish theconnection of the syringe 11 and the closure(s). As such, the attachmentof the syringe 11 to or with any one of a plurality of closures 20 canbe accomplished without a physical touching of the closures 20, by firstdisposing the nozzle portion 2′ of the syringe in substantial axialalignment with the closure and leading portion 31 of the syringe cap 30,as schematically represented by directional arrow 100 in FIG. 1. Once soaligned, and further, when the interior threaded surface 3″ of thesyringe nozzle 2 is disposed in interacting, confronting relation withoutwardly extending ears, tabs or at least partially threaded members 33of the leading portion 31 of the syringe cap 30, the aforementioned“rotational attachment” can be accomplished by a rotation of the syringe11 in a predetermined direction, such as is schematically represented bydirectional arrow 102 of FIG. 1, relative to the interconnected closure20 between end cap member 22 and syringe cap 30, which at leastinitially is a fixed interconnection.

Moreover, the aforementioned “rotational attachment” is furtherfacilitated by maintaining each of the closures 20 in a rotationallyfixed position, while the closures 20 are in the upright operativeorientation. More specifically, and due to the fact that the one or moreclosures 20 are removable from, but at least temporarily fixed withinthe interior of the container 54, in engaging relation with the supportbase 50 or container floor 52, the syringe 11 will be able to rotate, asat 102 in FIG. 1, relative to the substantially rotationally fixedposition of the closure 20, thereby accomplishing the aforementionedrotational attachment between the syringe 11 and the closure 20.Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, in order to facilitate the support andoperative orientation of the one or more closures 20 within thecontainer 54, or more in particular, on the support base 50 or innerportion 52 thereof, a connecting structure comprising at least one or aplurality of connectors 56 are provided. The connecting structure in theform of one or more connectors 56 are integrally or fixedly connected tothe support base 50 or inner portion 52 of the container 54. Moreover,each of the one or more connectors 56 is structured to interact with theexterior surface or outer portion of the closed end 28 of the closure 20or end cap member 22. As is perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8,the closed end 28 includes a recess 60 formed on and extending withinthe exterior surface of the closed end 28 of the closure 20.

Still referring to FIGS. 9-13, the outwardly projecting one or moreconnectors 56 of the connecting structure are cooperatively disposed,dimensioned and configured to establish a removably mating engagementwith the closed end 28 of the closure 20, preferably by being disposedand inserted within the recess 60 formed on or within the exteriorsurface of the closed end 28 of the end cap member 22. This cooperativestructuring at least partially defines a “rotationally restrictive”connection between the closure 20 and more specifically, the closed end28 and a corresponding one of the connectors 56. This cooperativestructuring and “rotationally restrictive” engagement between theconnector 56 and a correspondingly disposed recess 60 within the closedend 28 of the exterior of the end cap member 22 also serves to maintainthe operative orientation of the corresponding closure 20 duringtransport of the support base 50 or container 54.

Accordingly, the “rotationally restrictive” connection may be morespecifically defined with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, as well as FIG.21 hereinafter described. In more specific terms, the rotationallyrestrictive connection comprises the closure 20 being disposed insubstantially rotationally fixed position relative to the one connector56 and the support base 50, concurrently to a rotation of the syringe 11relative to the closure 20, thereby facilitating the rotationalattachment of the syringe 11 to the closure 20.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the closed ends 28 of the closures 20 andmore specifically, of the end cap members 22 include a plurality ofprojections 62 formed at least partially on the interior side wall orinterior peripheral surfaces of the corresponding recess 60. Theplurality of projections 62 may vary in number and placement, but arecooperatively disposed, structured and dimensioned to interact with asecond plurality of projections 64, shown in FIG. 14, formed on an outersurface or outer peripheral surface 56′ of each of the connectors 56.Additional structural features include, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, theclosed ends 28 having a plurality of open portions or spaces 63 formedbetween adjacent ones of the plurality of projections 62. Similarly, andas shown in FIG. 14, each of the one of more connectors 56 willpreferably include open areas or spaces 65 between adjacent ones of thesecond plurality of projections 64. Therefore, the cooperativedimensions of the connectors 56 with or relative to the recesses 60allow for an at least partial insertion of the connectors 56 into theinterior of a correspondingly disposed one of the recesses 60 on closedend 28 of a closure 20. When this nesting or insertion occurs, thecorresponding plurality of projections 62 of the closed end 28 of aclosure 20, and the plurality of projections 64 on the connectors 56,will interact so as to be disposed in at least partially abutting,confronting, interrupting and/or blocking relation to one another.

For purposes of clarity, the projections 64 disposed on each of the oneor more connectors 56, such as are illustrated in FIG. 14, will bereferred to herein as a “first” plurality of projections, while thecooperatively disposed and structured projections 62 on the closed end28 and/or within the recess 60 of the end cap member 22 shown in FIG. 9will be referred to as a “second” plurality of projections. Moreover,this “first” and “second” terminology will be used in the description ofthe additional embodiments of the present invention, herein provided.Similarly, for purposes of clarity, the term “substantially rotationallyfixed” is intended to describe, but not be limited to, the closure 20being restricted from rotating relative to the one connector 56, to theextent that at least a minimal amount of rotational sliding or“slippage” type movement may occur there between. This would be due tothe configurations and/or dimensions of confronting portions and/orsurfaces, specifically including the interactions of the first pluralityof projections 64 and the second plurality of projections of theconnector 56 and the closed end 28 of closure 20, respectively, whendisposed in the removable mating engagement with one another.

Accordingly, the closed end 28 of the closure 20 will be removablyconnected in a rotationally restrictive manner relative to acorresponding connector 56 on support base 50, such as the inner portion52 of a container 54, by being substantially prevented from rotatingrelative to the connector 56 in either of two opposite directions.Moreover, the preferably fixed attachment of the closed end 28 to theclosure 20 or end cap member 22 will thereby restrict the closure 20from rotating relative to the inner portion 52 and connector 56 of thecontainer 54 in either of two opposite directions. Therefore, each ofthe closures 20, once disposed in a container 54, in the aforementionedrotationally restrictive connection with corresponding ones of theconnectors 56 on the inner portion 52 of the container 54, will besubstantially restricted from rotating in either of two oppositedirections. In addition, the aforesaid restrictive rotation of thesestructures which serves to fix or at least substantially rotationallyfix the position of the closure 20 relative to the inner portion 52 ofthe container 54, will further serve to facilitate the alignment 100shown in FIG. 1, of a syringe 11 with the interior of the syringe cap30. This fixed positioning of the closures 20 in an operativeorientation for receiving the syringe 11 therein also serves tofacilitate the rotation 102 of the syringe 11 relative to the closure20.

Accordingly, axial alignment of a syringe 11 as is meant to beillustrated by arrow 100 in FIG. 1, within a closure 20, and therotation of the syringe 11 in the preferred, predetermined direction 102shown in FIG. 1, once inserted into the syringe cap 30 of a closure 20,will result in an interactive engagement of the drive portions 42 and44, shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, and thereby, cause a fixed positioning ofthe syringe cap 30 relative to the end cap member 22 and support base50, or more specifically, the connector 56 on the inner portion 52 ofsupport base 50 and/or of a container 54. As a result, theaforementioned rotational attachment between the nozzle 2 of the syringe11 and the syringe cap 30 will be made. Once such rotational attachmenthas been accomplished, an outwardly directed force or pulling forceexerted on the syringe 11 will serve to remove the connected closure 20from the interior of the container 54 and from its, operativeorientation on the interior portion 52 of the support base 50. Theattachment between the end cap member 22 of the closure 20 and thesyringe 11 may thereby be accomplished without the need for theindividual to touch or handle the closure 20 and/or end cap 22, which inturn, helps to maintain the sterility of the syringe and preventcontamination.

Importantly, the assembly of the present invention is versatile enoughto be used in a different manner, such as without the support base 50 orcontainer 54 including for one or more connector structures 56. More inparticular, the closure 20 of the present invention can be manuallyremoved from its engagement with an interior portion 52 of a container54 and yet, still facilitate a permitted rotational attachment of theclosure 20 to a syringe 11. Once so removed from a container 54, thecorresponding closure 20 can be manually rotated relative to the syringe11, and the aforementioned drive portions 42 and 44 of the driveassembly 40 will interact to facilitate the rotational attachment of theclosure 20 and end cap member 22 to the syringe 11.

Accordingly, and referring now to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.15-20, the present invention will be seen to include additionalpreferred embodiments directed to a substantially “automatic” attachmentof one or more closures 20, such as the closure represented in FIG. 3,to one or more syringes 11. As used herein, the term “automatic” ismeant to include, when referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 15-32, theability to connect or interconnect a closure 20 and a syringe 11,without requiring a person to handle or touch the closure 20, while itis being rotationally attached to the syringe 11. As set forth ingreater detail hereinafter, this inventive “automatic” or substantially“automatic” attachment or connection is accomplished by disposing and/ormaintaining the closure 20 in another preferred operative orientation,such as is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, and by concurrently rotatingthe closure 20 by virtue of the operational and structural features of aconnecting assembly 110 and/or 110′, as represented in FIGS. 15 and 18,respectively.

More specifically, and with initial reference now to FIGS. 15-17, anassembly is illustrated for securing a closure 20 to a syringe 11 in asubstantially automatic manner. It is pointed out that the assembly isintended for use with a closure or cap for a syringe such as, but notlimited to, the closure 20 having at least some of the same or at leastsimilar structural features as have been described in detail herein withreference to FIGS. 1 and 3-14. Accordingly, the embodiment of FIGS. 15and 16 comprises a connecting assembly 110 that includes a base 112,which may vary in structure and size, dependent upon the specificenvironment in which it is used. A platform 114 is movably connected tothe base 112 and includes a connecting structure in the form of aclosure receiving structure or cup 116. As clearly represented in FIG.17, the connecting structure in the form of closure receiving cup 116includes at least one connector, generally indicated as 118. Theconnector 118 has similar structural and operative features asconnectors 56, which have been described previously herein withreference to FIGS. 1 and 3-14. However, and as should be apparent, theat least one connector 118 of FIG. 17 is fixedly secured to andpreferably disposed within the connecting structure which here, isclosure receiving cup 116. Moreover, the connector 118 illustrated inthis embodiment is cooperatively structured to interact with the recess60 in the closed end 28 of the closure 20 so as to establish thepreviously mentioned “rotationally restrictive” connectionthere-between. As such, a closure 20, having an end cap member 22 with aclosed end 28, is disposed in removable mating engagement with the oneconnector 118, and serves to establish a rotationally restrictiveconnection with the closure 20 and maintains it in an operativeorientation. This preferred operative orientation is demonstrated inFIGS. 1, 15-16, as well as in FIGS. 18 and 19, and facilitates thereceiving of a syringe 11 and its rotational attachment to thecorresponding closure 20.

Referring again to FIGS. 15-17, the connecting structure 116 of theassembly 110, as well as the one connector 118, is rotationally mountedon the platform 114. Moreover, the connecting structure in the form ofclosure receiving cup 116, as well as the one connector 118, move withthe platform 114 between a receiving position and a connecting position.The receiving position is represented in FIGS. 15 and 16, and is atleast partially defined by the closed end 28 of the end cap member 22and closure 20, being disposed in the removable, mating engagement withthe one connector 118. At the same time, the closure 20 is disposed inthe aforementioned operative orientation, wherein the open end thereofis exposed to the syringe 11 so as to facilitate receiving of thesyringe 11, as represented in FIG. 16. The platform 114 is also capableof being disposed in the connecting position, wherein the platform 114and the connecting structure cup 116 move closer to the upper orcorresponding end 112′ of the base 112.

More specifically, the aforesaid, connecting position is at leastpartially defined by the syringe 11 being disposed within the end capmember 22 and being at least partially rotationally connected to theclosure 20 and/or syringe cap 30. It is emphasized that when theplatform 114 of connecting assembly 110 moves into the connectingposition, it is forced downwardly towards the corresponding upper end112′ of the base 112. Moreover, the downward movement of the platform114 occurs concurrently to the rotation of the connecting structure 116and the connector 118. Accordingly, and with reference to FIG. 15, theinventive assembly includes a drive linkage, which in the illustratedembodiment comprises a rotary drive linkage assembly 120 mounted on orotherwise directly associated with the connecting assembly 110. Therotary drive linkage assembly 120 preferably includes at least a firstmember which is preferably, but not necessarily, in the form of anelongated screw gear 122, and a second member disposed on the interiorof the base 112 in driving and/or mating engagement with the firstmember or elongated screw gear 122. Therefore, a forced downwardmovement of the platform 114 towards and relative to the upper end 112′of the base 112 will result in a concurrent rotation of the connectingstructure or cup 116 and the one connector 118, due to the interactionof the elongated screw gear 122 and the drive member associated with thebase portion 112′. Further, the linearly or axially directed force,represented by arrow 100′ in FIG. 16, causing the downward movement ofthe platform 114, connecting structure 116, connector 118 and closure20, from the receiving position of FIG. 15 into the connecting positionof FIG. 16, is caused by the syringe 11 engaging the closure 20 insubstantially axial alignment therewith.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the connecting assembly110 will also include a biasing assembly, such as but not limited to oneor more biasing elements or springs 124. As a result, the one or morebiasing elements or springs 124 are disposed and structured to normallybias the support platform 114 and the connecting structure 116 away fromthe top of the base 112′ and into the receiving position, as representedin FIG. 15. Accordingly, a predetermined downward force 100′, which isschematically represented in FIG. 16, exerted by the syringe 11, will betransferred to the closure 20 and connecting structure in the form ofclosure receiving cup 116. This will result in the platform 114 movingaway from and out of the receiving position of FIG. 15, and towards thebase portion 112′ and into the aforementioned connecting position. Upona release of the downwardly directed force 100′, the biasing forceexerted on the platform 114 by the one or more biasing springs 124, willcause the platform 114 to automatically return to the receiving positionshown in FIG. 15.

The upward travel of the platform 114 may also result in a rotation ofthe connecting structure or cup 116, one connector 118 and the closure20 in an opposite direction. However, due to the structure and operationof the drive assembly 40, as described in detail above, the syringe cap30 and the syringe 11 rotationally attached thereto, will not rotate inthe opposite direction with the end cap 22, and the syringe 11 will notbecome disconnected from the closure 20.

Still referring to FIGS. 15-17, this embodiment will preferably includeat least one adjustment assembly, generally indicated as 126. Theadjustment assembly 126 may assume a variety of structures and isdisposed to determine or limit the amount of downward travel of theplatform 114 relative to the base portion 112′. This, in turn, willlimit the amount of rotation of the connecting structure 116 and of theat least one connector 118, and the rotation of the end cap member 22and closure 20 being secured to the syringe 11. Therefore, at least onepurpose of the adjustment assembly 126 is to accommodate differentstructural and dimensional characteristics of any of a plurality ofdifferent syringes 11. More specifically, the threaded interconnectionbetween the outwardly extending ears, tabs or threaded portions 33 ofthe syringe cap 30 (best shown in FIG. 3) and the interior threads 3″ ofthe syringe 11, (best shown in FIG. 2) may require a different amount ofrotation and/or threaded engagement between the syringe cap 30 and thethreaded portion 3″ dependent upon the size of the syringe 11 (whether asmall 1-cc syringe, 10-cc syringe, 50-cc syringe or larger) and/or outerdiameter of the syringe 11. The adjustment assembly 126 is structured tolimit not only the distance to and/or position into which the platform114 travels into the connecting position towards the base portion 112,′but also the amount of rotation of the connecting structure or cup 116and closure 20 contained therein.

In additional preferred embodiments, the present invention is directedto an “automatic” assembly and/or system for securing each of aplurality of closures 20 to a different one of a plurality of syringes11. More specifically, and with reference to FIGS. 18-22, the connectingassembly 110′ includes a base 112, an upper base portion 112′, aplatform 114, a connecting structure or cup 116, a rotary drive linkageassembly 120, and at least one adjustment assembly 126. In addition, theconnecting structure 116 includes the at least one connector 118connected thereto and movable therewith, as between the receivingposition of the platform 114 as represented in FIGS. 15 and 18, and theconnecting position, as described above.

However, and as shown in FIGS. 18-19, structural variations of theconnecting structure 110′ include a biasing assembly comprising at leastone biasing spring 124 mounted within the interior of a sleeve or likestructure 125. The enclosed spring is disposed and structured to exert abiasing force on the first member or screw gear 122 tending to force theplatform 114 upwardly into the receiving position, as also describedabove. It is of further note that the biasing force exerted by the oneor more biasing springs 124 may be adjusted through at least a secondadjustment assembly 127 connected to the sleeve or like structure 125.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention comprises an automaticassembly and system as represented in FIGS. 18-22, including a supplyassembly, generally indicated as 130 and a positioning assembly,generally indicated as 160. More specifically, the supply assembly 130,includes a closure supply in the form of a canister or like container132 dimensioned and configured to contain a plurality of the closures 20therein. Further, and as shown in FIG. 20, the canister or container 132includes a closed end 134 and an oppositely disposed open end 135. Theopen end 135 is disposed and dimensioned to allow for a closure 20 toexit, or a plurality of closures 20 to exit successively there through,once a seal or closure structure 136 has been removed. The sealstructure 136 is preferably formed from a Tyvek™ material. As set forthabove, the advantages of utilizing the Tyvek™ material is that thismaterial is gas permeable, but resistant to the passage of liquid ormoisture. Therefore, a sterilizing gas can pass through the seal 136 soas to facilitate the closures 20, contained within the interior of thecanister 132, being maintained in a sterilized condition. In use,closure supply or the canister 132 of the supply assembly 130 isarranged in what may generally be referred to as an inverted position ororientation, as represented in FIGS. 18-19.

When so positioned, and as shown in FIG. 18, the open end 135 directlycommunicates with the positioning assembly 160, and more specifically,with an adapter 138. The adapter 138 is operatively disposed ininterconnecting relation between the canister 132 and the positioningassembly 160, such as being connected directly adjacent to the open end135. The canister 132 also includes a stop member 139, as show in FIG.20, which facilitates the stopping or retaining of each of the closures20 as they exit from the canister 132 through the open end 135.Accordingly each closure 20, once it has exited from the interior of thecanister 132, will pass substantially into the interior 138′ of theadapter 138, as shown in FIG. 20. When so positioned, the closure 20will be retained by the stop member 139 and thereby, be prevented fromfalling out of or away from the connecting structure 110′ and/or thepositioning assembly 160.

As represented in FIG. 20, the adapter 138 also includes at least oneopening or passage 140 disposed and structured to cooperate with theoperation of the positioning assembly 160. Specific structural andoperative features of the positioning assembly 160 include a positioningmember 162 connected in cooperative “positioning engagement” withindividual ones of the closures 20 as they exit from the interior of thecanister 132 through the open end 135. As schematically represented bydirectional arrow 163 in FIG. 18, the positioning member 162 isreciprocally movable by virtue of its fixed connection to a connectingshaft or rod 164, shown in FIG. 19. In turn, the positioning assembly160 includes a driving member 166 and a driven member 168. In at leastone preferred embodiment, the driving member 166 and the driven member168 collectively define a rack and pinion gear assembly. However, otherdriving assemblies may be utilized to force the positioning member 162into the aforementioned rotationally reciprocal movement 163 and intothe aforementioned positioning engagement successively with each of aplurality of closures 20 as they exit from the canister 132.

Therefore, upon a downward force as indicated by directional arrow 100′in FIG. 18 being delivered to the syringe 11, as shown in FIGS. 16 and18, the platform 114 will move from the receiving position of FIGS. 15and 18 into the aforementioned and described connecting position. Thisdownward movement will cause a corresponding movement or travel of thedriving member 166 and a concurrent rotation of the driven member 168.In turn, the positioning member 162 will be forced to rotate towards aclosure 20 disposed on the interior 138′ of the adapter 138 and into thepositioning engagement therewith through the opening 140 in the adapter138. This will force the engaged closure 20 along a channel 170 defininga path of travel, shown in FIG. 19. As such, the first closure 20 in thealigned plurality of closures 20, disposed in a generally stacked arraywithin the canister 132, will successively pass into the interior of theconnecting structure 116 and into mating engagement with the oneconnector 118. The corresponding closure 20 engaging the connector 118will be maintained in the aforementioned operative orientation so as tofacilitate receipt of a syringe 11 therein, as illustrated in FIG. 16. Anext “interior” closure 20, disposed immediately adjacent the open end135, will be poised to pass therethrough and fall, under the influenceof gravity, into the interior 138′ of the adapter 138.

Moreover, the elongated configuration of the canister 132 of the supplyassembly 130 will serve to axially align a plurality of closures 20therein. Once each of the closures 20 exit through the open end 135,they will be oriented such that the closed end 28 of each of theclosures 20 will be disposed to assume the removable, mating engagementwith one connector 118 within the connecting structure 116. The oppositeor open end 24 of each of the end cap members 22 and/or closures 20 willbe positioned in an outwardly or upwardly exposed relation to thecorresponding syringe 11, to facilitate the rotational attachmentbetween the syringe nozzle portion 2 and the syringe cap 30.

In another embodiment, the present invention comprises yet anothersystem and assembly structured to automatically secure at least oneclosure 20 and preferably, a plurality of such closures to differentones of a plurality of syringes 11, so as to cover or seal the dischargeport 4. While at least operationally similar to the embodiments of FIGS.15 through 20, the additional preferred embodiment of an automaticsecuring assembly is represented in FIGS. 23 through 32. As will becomeapparent from this description, substantially common features associatedwith the “automatic” embodiments of FIGS. 15-17 and 23-32 include theprovision of a connecting assembly 210 including at least one connector218 structurally and operatively connected to or considered a part of aconnecting structure 216, which may be in the form of a receiving cup,similar to the connecting structure cup 116 represented as part of theembodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19. As disclosed in FIGS. 21 and 28, the oneconnector 218 is disposed on the interior of the connecting structurecup 216 and is dimensioned and configured to substantially correspond toand facilitate a removable mating engagement with the closed end 28 ofeach of the plurality of closures 20.

Accordingly, and as illustrated in FIG. 21, the one connector 218 isstructurally and operationally similar to the connectors 56 and 118 andcomprises a first plurality of outwardly extending projections 219,which may be disposed in an annular array and substantially equally orappropriately spaced from one another by spaces 219′ about an outerand/or outer peripheral surface 219″ of the connector 218. As such, theconfiguration of the one connector 218 will substantially correspond tothe configuration and structure of the closed end 28 of the closure 20.Therefore, and as has been previously described and depicted in FIGS. 9through 14, the closed end 28 of the closure 20 includes the recess 60and a second plurality of projections 62 formed therein. The secondplurality of recesses 62 are arranged in a corresponding, substantiallyannular or circular array and are equally or other wise appropriatelyspaced from one another by consecutive spaces 63, as is shown in FIGS. 8and 9. Therefore, the one connector 218 is correspondingly configured toestablish a removable mating engagement with the predetermined portion,including the recess 60, and the closed end 28 of the closure 20.

It is further emphasized that the configuring of the one connector 218to correspond to the closed end 28 is not a mere design feature. To thecontrary, this correspondingly configured structuring of the connector218 with the closed end 28 facilitates a substantially automatic, errorfree “drop-in” positioning of each of the closures 20 onto the connector218, in each of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.While other structural configurations have been attempted, thestructuring of the one connector 218 with the closed end 28 of theclosure 20 substantially eliminates or significantly reduces theoccurrence of misalignment when automatically or manually positioningeach of the closures in the operative orientation on a correspondingconnector, so as to establish the rotationally restrictive engagementbetween a connector such as 218, and the closed end 28 of acorresponding closure 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-32, and also similar to the embodiments ofFIGS. 15 through 17, at least one application of the additionalautomatic securing assembly may include the provision of a closuresupply 230 in the form of a canister or magazine 232, as is bestrepresented in FIG. 22. As such, the dimension and configuration of thecanister 232 facilitates a substantially stacked or inline orientationof a plurality of closures 20 on the interior of the canister 232. Insuch an array, the closures will successively exit from the open end 235preferably, but not exclusively, by gravitational feed. Also, a seal 236may be in the form of a Tyvek® lid which may be removable from the openend 235 by exerting a pulling or other appropriate force on theoutwardly extending tab 236′.

With primary reference to FIGS. 23 through 28, the additional preferredembodiment of the automatic closure securing assembly is generallyrepresented as 200. More specifically, a connecting assembly 210includes an elongated configuration and is preferably mounted on a baseor other supporting surface 250, and further, includes an outer casingor housing portion 210′. Structural and operative features of theconnecting assembly 210 are represented in FIG. 28 and include thereceiving or connecting structure or cup 216 having at least oneconnector 218 mounted on the interior thereof. Further, the connectingstructure cup 216 is connected to an outer or distal end of an elongatedshaft as at 252, shown in FIGS. 25 and 28. A rotary linkage assembly isgenerally indicated as 254 and includes interacting gears 255 connectedto the shaft 252 and rotational therewith. A cooperating gear structureis indicated as 256 and may be secured to or mounted on interiorportions of the casing or housing 210′. Accordingly, the gear structures255 and 256 of the gear assembly 254 collectively define the rotarylinkage assembly, which may be in the form of a screw gear. As such, thelinkage assembly is disposed and structured to force rotation of the oneconnector 218 and connecting structure 216, as well as the closure 20disposed in an operative orientation thereon, relative to the casing210′. More specifically, the drive linkage comprising the gear assembly254 is disposed and structured to translate applied force 100 intolinear movement of the one connector and concurrent rotational movementof the one connector 218. Such linear movement will be exerted on theclosure 20 and connector 218 by a downward or other appropriatedirectional force on the syringe 11, co-axial to the gear 252, when itengages the corresponding closure 20 disposed in the operativeorientation, as represented in FIG. 23. As represented in FIG. 28 areturn spring 124′ will be disposed within the 210′ and serves to returnthe gear 252 into the receiving position from the connecting position asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

Additional features of the securing assembly and system of FIGS. 23through 32 include the provision of a carriage assembly 260 disposablebetween a delivering position, as represented in FIG. 25 and a closuresupplied position, as represented in FIG. 23. As such, the carriageassembly 260 includes the carriage 262 movably mounted on a supportingtrack assembly 265 connected to and supported by the aforementioned base250. In addition, a positioning assembly 264 is connected to thecarriage and movable therewith and is preferably, but not exclusively,in the form of a plunger or other exteriorly accessible member 266.Disposition and structure of the positioning assembly 264 including theat least one positioning member 266 is schematically represented inFIGS. 29 through 32, and will be discussed in greater detailhereinafter. In addition, intended or selected manipulation of thepositioning member 266 will cause the movement of the carriage 262between the closure supplied position of FIG. 23 and the closuredelivering position as represented in FIG. 26. Concurrently, thestructural and operative features of the positioning assembly 264,specifically including the positioning member or plunger 266 willconcurrently and successively contact each of the closures 20 by a“positioning engagement” therewith, as schematically represented inFIGS. 29 through 32.

The structural and operational features of the automatic securingassembly 200 are also represented in FIGS. 29 through 32, as set forthabove. More specifically, FIG. 29 is substantially equivalent to theassembly 200 as represented in FIG. 23. As such, a plurality of closures20 are mounted on or within the carriage 262 and are sequentiallydelivered or “indexed” into a delivering portion 267 of the carriage262, when the carriage 262 is disposed into the closure deliveringposition of FIG. 26. Therefore, in FIGS. 29 and 30 closures 20substantially fill the appropriate location on or within the carriage262, thereby allowing the positioning member 266 to be manipulated byextending inwardly until the stop or retaining member 268 engages acorresponding portion 262′ of the carriage 262, as represented in FIG.31. Inward movement of the positioning member 266 will cause the headportion 266′ to engage the inner most closure 20′, forcing theouter-most closure 20″ into the delivering portion 267 of the carriage262 and into a delivering orientation relative to the connectingstructure 216 and connecting member 218. Once so positioned, thedelivering portion 267 is appropriately structured to allow the outermost closure 20″ to assume the delivering orientation, wherein it willfall or pass through passage 269 or otherwise be removed from thecarriage 262 into the connecting structure cup 216 and into the matingengagement with the connector 218.

The delivering portion 267 may be at least partially defined by an endlocation on or within the carriage 262 which will be aligned with apassage 269. Such alignment with the passage 269 will allow the closure20″ to fall there through into the interior of the connecting structurecup 216 and into the aforementioned mating engagement with the connector218. As indicated, the corresponding configuration of the connector 218and the recess 60 of the closed end 28 of the closure 20 facilitate anautomatic and substantially error-free, mating engagement between theclosed end 28/recess 60 and the one connector 218. Upon passage of theend most closure 20′ into the connecting structure cup 216, thepositioning member 266 will be retracted as demonstrated in FIG. 32.Such outward movement of the plunger or positioning member 266 willcause the carriage 262 to move from the delivering position back intothe closure supplied position of FIGS. 26 and 32. It is of further notethat the head portion 266′ of the plunger or positioning member 266 isdisposed, configured and dimensioned to retain the next closure 20′″,which is about to fall from the canister 232, from completely exitingthrough the open end 235, until the positioning member 266 and the head266′ is completely retracted into the position represented in FIG. 32.Once the head 266′ is so retracted, gravity feed will facilitate thepassage of the closure 20′″ from the interior of the canister 232 intothe carriage 262, as demonstrated by a comparison of the structures ofFIGS. 31 and 32.

The retainer or stop member 268 mounted on the shaft 266″ of thepositioning member 266 is specifically disposed relative to the head266′ so as to accomplish successive “indexing” of the plurality ofclosures mounted on the carriage 262. As a result, continued reciprocal,inward and outward movement of the positioning member 266, will causesuccessive disposition or indexing of the closures 20 into thedelivering portion 267 and into the delivering orientation asrepresented in FIG. 31.

The additional preferred embodiment of FIGS. 23 through 32 arerepresented in use with a closure supply 230, including canister 232.However, it is possible that the carriage 262 could be modified, alongwith the positioning member 266, to be operative to dispose a singleclosure into the delivery portion 267. In the operation thereof, thesingle closure 20 could be disposed into the delivery portion 267 andeventually through the passage 269. The modification of the carriage 262and/or the positioning member 266 could include, but not be limited to,an adjustment of the overall length of the positioning member 266 or theposition of the retainer or stop member 268.

Finally, FIG. 27 represents the carriage 262 in its completely retractedposition as also represented in FIG. 32. When so retracted, the movementof the connecting assembly 210 and/or connecting member 218 between theaforementioned receiving position and connected position will cause thecorresponding closure 20 to be rotationally attached to the syringe 11in closing or sealing relation to the discharge port 4 thereof.Thereafter, the removal of the syringe 11 and the closure 20 attachedthereto is indicated by the directional arrow 100′. In turn, this willremove of reduce the linearly applied force 100 on the positioningassembly 220, as represented in FIG. 23, allowing the connector toreturn to the receiving position. Such automatic return may be due inpart to the provision of a biasing assembly or spring(s) as explained ingreater detail with regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 15, 20, 23 and/or28. Due to the operative and structural features of the above describedrotary drive 254, movement of the connecting assembly 210 from theconnecting position to the receiving position, the cause the connectingstructure 216 and the connector 218 to rotate in an opposite directionfrom that when the connecting structure cup 216 rotates when theconnecting assembly 210 passes from the receiving position into theconnecting position. However, due to the structure of a drive assembly40 (see FIG. 3), the closure 20, once connected to the syringe 11 asrepresented in FIG. 27, will not rotate relative to the syringe 11 orbecome detached there from.

Turning now to FIG. 33, at least one embodiment of the assembly forclosing a discharge port of a syringe includes a closure supply 300 madeup of a container 310 and a plurality of closures 20 retained therein.As with other containers or supplies disclosed above, the closure supply300 shown in FIG. 33 stores multiple closures 20 for delivery,sterilization, and storage until use. More specifically, the container310 is sufficiently sized to accommodate many closures 20 therein, whichare disposed in a random arrangement within the container 310. That isto say, there is no particular order or arrangement of the closures 20held within the container 310, and they are not fixed in a particularlocation or relation to one another. Moreover, the container 310 may beany size to accommodate any predetermined number of closures 20. By wayof example only, one size container 310 may be used to retain a maximumof twenty-five closures 20; a larger sized container 310 may hold amaximum of one hundred closures 20. Accordingly, different sizes may beused depending on capacity, need, or other relevant factors.

As is evident from FIG. 33, the container 310 is made of a non-rigid, atleast somewhat flexible material which may assume any of a number ofshapes. For example, the container 310 may be a bag or other similarstructure capable of retaining materials therein and taking on variousshapes as dictated by the contents. Such container 310 may betransparent, such as for viewing of the contents therethrough, or may beopaque such that the contents are not visible, or any degree ofvisibility therebetween.

Moreover, the container 310 is structured to facilitate the exposure ofthe various closures 20 contained therein to a sterilizing fluid.Specifically, the container 310 includes certain structure whichfacilitates the passage of a sterilizing fluid through at least aportion of the container 310. For example, the container 310 may includeat least one section of gas permeable material 315, such as Tyvek®material produced by the E.I. DuPont Company, of Wilmington, Del. (orone or more of its subsidiaries). As previously discussed, Tyvek®material permits some passage of gas but resists the passage of liquidor moisture or microbes there through. As such, a sterilant gas can passthrough the section of gas permeable material 315 of the container 310and facilitate the sterilization of one or more closures 20 heldtherein. The sterilized condition of the one or more of the closures 20is substantially or at least partially maintained as long as thecontainer 310 remains sealed or closed.

Accordingly, once the container 310 is filled with closures 20, such asat a manufacturing site, the container 310 is sealed or closed. Thefilled container 310 is then subjected to a sterilant gas, whichpenetrates through the gas permeable material 315 of the container 310until the closures 20 are fully sterilized. Since the container 310 isclosed, the interior space and closures 20 residing therein aremaintained in a sterile environment. Once sterilized, the container 310may be shipped for delivery and/or stored for a time. Of course,sterilization may occur at any location, such as after delivery, and insome cases the container 310 may be subjected to multiple rounds ofsterilization, if needed.

Upon use, the container 310 may be unsealed or temporarily opened tofacilitate the removal of a closure(s) 20 as needed. It should beappreciated that such unsealing or opening may be performed manually,such as by a person working in a sterile environment such as under a“hood,” or mechanically, such as by a machine, which may be an automatedor programmed process. The closures 20 are removably retained within thecontainer 310, so that each closure 20 may be individually removed fromthe container 310 when needed. It is contemplated that, to maintain thesterility of the interior chamber of the container 310 and the remainingclosures 20 held therein, that the container 310 is only opened so farand for only as long as is needed to remove the desired closure 20 atthe time it is needed, and is resealed or closed as soon as possiblefollowing the removal of the needed closure(s) 20. As can beappreciated, this process may be repeated any number of times as isneeded to remove closure(s) 20 as they are needed.

It should also be apparent from FIG. 33 that the container 310 lacks anyconnecting structure as discussed above, such as connectors 56 or cups116. Accordingly, the closure supply 300 is used independently of anoperative interconnection between any part of the closures 20 and aconnecting structure. The closures 20, therefore, are randomly disposedwithin the container 310 and may move freely about therein, and are freeto rotate within the container 310, subject to the limitations of theboundaries of the container 310 itself and the space available betweenadjacent closures 20 in close proximity within the closure supply 300.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly structured to connect a closure to asyringe comprising: at least one end cap member including an open endand a closed end, said open end dimensioned to receive a discharge portof the syringe therethrough into an interior of said one end cap member,said closed end fixedly connected to said one end cap member insegregating relation between an exterior and at least a portion of aninterior of said one end cap member, a syringe cap disposed within saidone end cap member and structured for rotational attachment to thesyringe in covering relation to a discharge port of the syringe; a driveassembly structured to facilitate said rotational attachment, said driveassembly formed on correspondingly disposed portions of both saidsyringe cap and said closed end, on an interior of said one end capmember, a support base including at least one connector disposed tosupport said one end cap member in an operative orientation on saidsupport base, and said one connector cooperatively structured with saidclosed end to define a rotationally restrictive connection between saidend cap member and said support base.
 2. An assembly as recited in claim1 wherein said at least one connector is integrated into a container andformed on an interior portion of said container.
 3. An assembly asrecited in claim 1 wherein said operative orientation comprises said oneend cap member positioned and said open end thereof exposed tofacilitate said rotational attachment of the syringe.
 4. An assembly asrecited in claim 1 further comprising a tamper evident assembly disposedwithin said closure in cooperative relation to said syringe cap.
 5. Anassembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said tamper evident assemblyfurther includes said drive assembly structured for rotational movementof said end cap member relative to said syringe cap upon said rotationalattachment of said syringe cap to the syringe and an indicator memberremovably connected to an interior of said one end cap member.
 6. Anassembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said support base comprises aninterior portion of a container, said container structured forcommercial packaging of said one end cap member and dimensioned andconfigured to enclose and retain said one end cap member in saidoperative orientation.
 7. An assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein saidcontainer comprises a plurality of said connectors each formed on andextending outwardly from said interior portion; each of said connectorsdisposed and structured to support a different one of a plurality ofsaid end cap members in said operative orientation and in saidrotationally restrictive connection with said interior portion.
 8. Anassembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said rotationally restrictiveconnection comprises said one end cap member being disposed insubstantially a rotationally fixed position relative to said supportbase, concurrent to rotation of the syringe relative to said one end capmember, thereby facilitating said rotational attachment of the syringeto said one end cap member.
 9. An assembly as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid rotationally restrictive connection comprises a substantially,rotationally fixed positioning of said closed end of said one end capmember relative to said one connector, concurrent to rotation of thesyringe relative to said syringe cap and said rotational attachmenttherebetween.
 10. An assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said closedend includes an exterior portion cooperatively structured with said oneconnector to define a removable, mating engagement therebetween; saidmating engagement at least partially defining said rotationallyrestrictive connection of said one end cap member and said oneconnector.
 11. An assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said closed endincludes a recess formed on an exterior thereof and extending inwardlyinto said closed end.
 12. An assembly as recited in claim 11 whereinsaid one connector is disposed in outwardly protruding relation fromsaid support base, said one connector structured to establish aremovable mating engagement with said closed end; said removable matingengagement at least partially defined by disposition of said oneconnector within said recess.
 13. An assembly as recited in claim 12further comprising an outer surface formed on said one connector and aninner surface formed within said recess; said outer surface and saidinner surface being cooperatively configured with one another to atleast partially define said rotationally restrictive connection of saidend cap member to said support base when said one connector and saidclosed end are in said removable mating engagement with one another. 14.An assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said one connector comprisesa first plurality of projections formed on an outer peripheral surfacethereof; said recess comprising a second plurality of projections formedon an inner peripheral surface thereof; said first and second pluralityof projections relatively disposed and cooperatively structured to atleast partially define said rotationally restrictive connection whensaid one connector and said recess are in said removable matingengagement with one another.
 15. An assembly as recited in claim 14wherein said first and second plurality of projections are cooperativelydisposed in interruptive, movement restricting engagement with oneanother; said movement restricting engagement at least partiallydefining said rotationally restrictive connection to include restrictingrotation of said end cap member in either of two opposite directionsrelative to said support base.
 16. An assembly as recited in claim 15wherein said support base comprises an interior portion of a container,said container dimensioned and configured to enclose and retain said oneend cap member in said operative orientation therein.
 17. An assembly asrecited in claim 16 wherein said container comprises a plurality of saidconnectors each formed on and extending outwardly from said interiorportion; each of said connectors disposed and structured to support adifferent one of a plurality of said end cap members in said operativeorientation and in said rotationally restrictive connection of saidplurality of end cap members relative to said interior portion.
 18. Anassembly for closing a syringe comprising: a closure including at leastone end cap member having an open end and a closed end, said open enddimensioned to receive a discharge port of the syringe therethrough andinto an interior of said end cap member, said closed end of said end capmember disposed in segregating relation between an exterior and at leasta portion of an interior of said end cap member, a syringe cap disposedwithin said end cap member and structured for rotational attachment tothe syringe in covering relation to the discharge port of the syringe; adrive assembly structured to facilitate said rotational attachment, saiddrive assembly formed on correspondingly disposed portions of both saidsyringe cap and on an interior of said end cap member, a containerincluding at least one connector disposed to support said end cap memberin an operative orientation, and said at least one connector of saidcontainer cooperatively structured with said closed end of said end capmember to define a rotationally restrictive connection between said endcap member and said container.
 19. An assembly as recited in claim 18wherein said correspondingly disposed portions of said drive assemblyare formed on said syringe cap and an interior side of said closed endof said end cap.
 20. An assembly structured to connect a closure to asyringe comprising: at least one closure structured for rotationalattachment to the syringe and including an open end and a fixedlyconnected closed end; said open end dimensioned to receive at least aportion of the syringe into said rotational attachment, a support baseat least partially defined by an interior portion of a container andincluding at least one connector disposed and structured to support saidone closure in an operative orientation on said support base in saidcontainer, said one connector cooperatively structured with said closedend of said one closure to define a removable mating engagement and arotationally restrictive connection between said one closure and saidone connector, said operative orientation comprising said closed end ofsaid one closure disposed in said removable mating engagement with saidone connector and said open end exposed to the syringe to facilitatesaid rotational attachment therewith, and said rotationally restrictiveconnection comprising a substantially rotationally fixed positioning ofsaid closed end relative to said one connector concurrent to rotation ofthe syringe relative to said one closure and into said rotationalattachment therewith.
 21. An assembly as recited in claim 20 whereinsaid support base comprises a plurality of said connectors, each formedon and extending outwardly from said interior portion, and each of saidconnectors disposed and structured to support a different one of aplurality of said closures in said operative orientation and in saidrotationally restrictive connection with said interior portion.
 22. Anassembly as recited in claim 20 further comprising a tamper evidentassembly disposed within said closure in cooperative relation to saidsyringe cap.
 23. An assembly as recited in claim 22 wherein said tamperevident assembly further includes said drive assembly structured forrotational movement of said end cap member relative to said syringe capupon said rotational attachment of said syringe cap to the syringe andan indicator member removably connected to an interior of said one endcap member.
 24. An assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein said closedend of said closure comprises a recess formed on an exterior thereof andextending inwardly into said closed end.
 25. An assembly as recited inclaim 24 wherein said one connector is disposed in outwardly protrudingrelation from said inner portion of said container, said one connectorstructured for disposition thereof into said recess to at leastpartially define said removable mating engagement with said closed end.26. An assembly as recited in claim 25 wherein said one connectorcomprises a first plurality of projections formed on an outer surface;said recess comprising a second plurality of projections formed on aninner surface thereof; said first and second plurality of projectionsrelatively disposed and cooperatively structured to at least partiallydefine said rotationally restrictive connection when said one connectorand said recess are in said removable mating engagement with oneanother.
 27. An assembly as recited in claim 26 wherein said first andsecond plurality of projections are collectively disposed ininterruptive, movement restricting engagement with one another; saidmovement restricting engagement at least partially defining saidrotationally restrictive connection to include restricting rotation ofsaid end cap member in either of two opposite directions relative tosaid support base.